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The National Chair of Kenya Secondary Schools Science and Engineering, Margaret Njaggah, has issued a strong call for innovation, leadership, and scientific advancement in the country.

The principal of Moi Girls School, Nairobi, emphasized that the Kenya Science and Engineering Fair remains a vital platform for celebrating student innovation, closely aligned with the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), STEM education, Kenya’s Vision 2030, and the Sustainable Development Goals.

She spoke during the official opening of the 62nd National Secondary School Science and Engineering Fair held at Garissa High School on Monday, Duale, an alumnus of the school.

According to Njaggah, nurturing curiosity and creativity among young learners is key to building a future driven by science and technology.

“This fair is a celebration of student innovation in Kenya. By encouraging young minds to explore, create, and innovate, we are shaping a future driven by science and technology,” she stated.

“This fair is a convergence point for participants, teachers, and officials from eight regions, fostering knowledge exchange and experiential learning. Students showcase their projects, while teachers benefit from an Artificial Intelligence workshop facilitated by Young Scientists Kenya, equipping them with insights into emerging technologies,” she added.

Njaggah noted that science and technology hold the key to solving many of the nation’s challenges, adding that the fair provides a practical platform to demonstrate how scientific solutions can transform lives and contribute to economic growth.

“I want to underscore the importance of STEM skills in today’s job market. They cut across multiple industries and foster critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving abilities that extend beyond traditional scientific fields,” she said.

She expressed honor in hosting this year’s fair in Garissa, noting that the location underscores inclusivity and national cohesion in advancing education and innovation.

Njaggah also thanked the Ministry of Education, the Directorate of Field Services and Co-Curricular Activities, sponsors, judges, and all stakeholders who contributed to the success of the fair. She encouraged participants to continue pushing the boundaries of innovation, confident the event would inspire even greater achievements in the future.

This year’s edition marked a milestone, with senior school learners presenting projects across 18 diverse categories—an expansion that introduced five new areas, including emerging fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Arts, and Entrepreneurship.

For the first time, junior school learners were included, following support from the Ministry of Education. Junior participants competed in six categories: Mathematical Sciences, Chemistry and Physical Sciences, Biological and Environmental Sciences, Agriculture, Technology and Engineering, Energy and Transportation, and Social-Behavioral Science.

Njaggah celebrated the global opportunities created through the fair, noting that past participants have represented Kenya in international competitions such as the Eskom Expo in South Africa and the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in the United States.

This year, five teams are set to travel to the USA to participate in ISEF, showcasing Kenya’s growing pool of young scientific talent.

The fair was officially opened by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, who challenged both junior and senior school students to embrace innovation and leadership.

He described the learners as “the innovators of today and the leaders of tomorrow,” urging them to harness science and technology to address pressing national and global challenges.